Imams can protect umrah pilgrims from greedy travel agents — Nazri

THE INTEGRATED Manasik Monitoring System (Imams), which is currently being developed, can monitor and control the travel agents, and prevent them from cheating the umrah pilgrims.

Tourism and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the travel agents would have no excuses for abandoning the pilgrims since Imams would be coordinated, meaning a guaranteed visa, return flight ticket and staying place in the holy land.

“Umrah travel agents often cite late visa clearance as the reason for leaving the pilgrims stranded. Via Imams, the pilgrims will be fully protected from greedy travel agents,” he said when winding up the Supply Bill 2018 for his ministry in Dewan Rakyat, here yesterday.

Nazri said the government took into account various aspects through Imams so that the problem of fraud and manipulation of umrah packages was dealt with more transparently.

“The ministry has come across many umrah fraud cases whereby the pilgrims were stranded meaning they were unable to leave for the holy land or unable to return to Malaysia.

“The implementation of Imams will prevent the pilgrims from being cheated by travel agencies. We can revoke their operating licences and if there is any element of fraud, they may be subjected to legal action.”

Nazri said Imams would involve a fee of RM90.10 for comprehensive takaful (insurance) in accordance with the guidelines set by the ministry and should be borne by the travel agencies. — Bernama